You are a Part of Me

38.

         "PROMISE that you will take care," utos ni Exequiel kay Blaire habang hinihintay nilang maibaba ng driver ni Exequiel ang bagahe niya.

         "As long as you promise not to send anyone to look after me," nakangiting sabi ni Blaire kay Exequiel.

         "I promise," sagot ni Exequiel.

         "Good," sagot ni Blaire.

         In the first few days of Exequiel finding out that she and Xavier slept together, iniwasan siya nito. Kung hindi lang dahil kay Lara na naging clingy sa kanya, hindi pa niya makakasama si Exequiel.

         They talked.

         Humingi ulit siya ng tawad kay Exequiel dahil alam niyang nasaktan ito. Humingi rin ito ng tawad sa kanya because he was acting like he was betrayed when in fact they're just "friends". Naintindihan naman ni Blaire kung bakit nasaktan si Exequiel.

         Exequiel's feelings for her never left.

         Alam iyon ni Blaire.

         And no, she's not taking him for granted. Alam ni Exequiel na si Xavier ang mahal niya at mahalaga lamang si Exequiel sa kanya. It may sound so gago to other people, but she and Exequiel have an understanding on their relationship.

         They are merely friends.

         "Don't forget Lara's pie," paalala ni Exequiel sa kanya.

         Natawa si Blaire at sinabing, "She's acting like she already had a taste of the pie. I doubt she'd even like it."

         Natawa si Exequiel at sinabing, "Whatever you like, she likes kaya hayaan mo na."

         "Thank you," pasalamat ni Blaire nang dumating na ang bagahe niya.

         "Take care, okay?" may pag-aalalang sabi ni Exequiel sa kanya sabay halik sa kanyang noo.

         "I will. You don't have to worry too much. Bacolod naman 'yun eh. It's not like people there are dangerous. Besides, I'm a Bacolodnon as well," nakangiting sabi ni Blaire.

         "I know. But you just can't trust people too much," nakasimangot na sabi ni Exequiel na ikinatawa ulit ni Blaire.

         "May dugong Negrense ako kaya tigilan mo na nga 'yan. I'll see you after five or six days," nakangiting paalam ni Blaire at tumalikod na siya.

         "Don't lose that scarf!" rinig ni Blaire na pahabol na bilin sa kanya ni Exequiel.

         She smiled and gave Exequiel a flying kiss before really giving her ticket to the airport personnel na nagche-check ng ticket.

         Pagkababa ni Blaire ng kanyang luggage from the airport security baggage machine, napatingin siya sa scarf na suot-suot.

         She smiled and made sure that it is secured around her neck before finally falling in line in the check-in counter.

          LUMABAS si Blaire mula sa kusina ng kanyang restaurant at nakangiting pinagmasdan ang mga masasayang taong kumakain ng mga hinanda nila. Nasa Silay, Negros Occidental siya ngayon. Limang araw siyang magste-stay sa Negros Occidental para tingnan ang operations ng pangalawa niyang restaurant.

         "Good evening, Chef," bati ng dumaang waiter sa kanya.

         "Good evening," bati pabalik ni Blaire bago simulang mag-ikot-ikot para tanungin ang mga customers kung kumusta ang serbisyo sa kanila at ang pagkain nila.